Walsall Carers Hub: A Year in Review 2026

Local support can make a significant difference to Carers’ wellbeing, confidence and ability to continue caring. 

Walsall Carers Hub is managed by Forward Carers and delivered in partnership with Midland Mencap. As a single point of access for unpaid Carers across the borough, the Hub helps people recognise their caring role and access the right support earlier.

Bringing together information, advice, wellbeing support and community connections, the service helps Carers access support that is right for them. 

Our Impact Review 2025 highlights the support provided through the service during the past year and the difference it has made for Carers across Walsall, alongside the wider work being delivered by Forward Carers across the West Midlands and South West. 

Why do we produce an Impact Review? 

At Forward Carers, we believe that measuring impact is about much more than counting activities or reporting statistics. 

Our Impact Review helps us understand whether support is making a difference in Carers’ lives, what we’re learning and where we can improve. It also helps us remain accountable to commissioners, funders, partners and the Carers who help shape our services through their feedback and experiences. 

What does the review tell us about Walsall? 

As a single point of access for unpaid Carers in Walsall, the Hub helps people recognise their caring role, understand their rights and access support earlier. 

During 2025, 422 Carers accessed information, advice or ongoing support through Walsall Carers Hub, while 75 received one-to-one or casework support. The service also completed 88 wellbeing checks and supported 43 Carers to access welfare or benefits advice, helping people navigate some of the practical challenges that can accompany a caring role. 

Alongside personalised support, the Hub helped Carers connect with others and access opportunities that support their wellbeing.

During the year, 258 Carers attended 49 group sessions and activities, creating opportunities to share experiences, learn from one another and reduce isolation. 

The review also highlights the role the Hub plays in helping Carers understand their rights and access support available to them. Through Carers Rights Day activities, welfare advice and support to join the Priority Services Register, Carers were better informed about the help available and how to access it. 

The Importance of Timely Support 

One example featured in the review is M, who contacted Walsall Carers Hub after caring for her  husband for several years. 

Feeling exhausted and unsure what support was available, she received a wellbeing check, benefits advice and support to connect with a local Carer group. As a result, she felt less isolated and more confident in continuing her caring role. 

While every caring situation is different, M’s experience reflects something we see regularly: having access to the right information, practical support and connections at the right time can make a significant difference. 

Creating Social Value 

Supporting Carers is about more than delivering contracted services. 

Alongside core support, Forward Carers secures additional funding and practical resources that help remove barriers to accessing support and staying connected. 

In Walsall, this included free bus passes to help Carers attend appointments, groups and activities, as well as free data SIMs for Carers experiencing financial difficulties or digital exclusion. 

These practical interventions help remove barriers that can prevent Carers from accessing support, maintaining social connections and looking after their own wellbeing. 

Part of a Wider Picture 

While this article focuses on Walsall Carers Hub, the service forms part of Forward Carers’ wider network of support across the West Midlands and South West. Together, these services supported more than 8,000 Carers during 2025, helping people access information, advice, wellbeing support and community connections. 

The review provides an opportunity to explore both the local impact of services such as Walsall Carers Hub and the wider contribution that Carer support makes across communities. 

Thank You 

Thank you to the Carers, staff, volunteers, partners, commissioners and funders who have contributed to supporting unpaid Carers across Walsall during the past year. 

Your insight, commitment and collaboration continue to help ensure Carers can access the information, advice and support they need. 

Read the Impact Review 

We hope you find the review informative and useful.